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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
Praises, no criticism
Some praise, no criticism
No rating
Praises, some criticism
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Criticisms

Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

OTHER ICONS
Australian Owned
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What do you value?
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Toothpaste

The Guide > Personal Care > Dental Care > Toothpaste 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the foaming agent commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, and toothpastes. It's also found in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. Although used in low concentrations in bodycare products, it ends up on the most sensitive areas of our bodies almost every day. It is well known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. In stripping away oil and drying the skin's surface, it reduces the skin's ability to effectively regulate moisture, and increases the skin's absorption of certain other chemicals such as preservatives, fragrances and colour additives. It's used in our products primarily because it's cheap, often derived from palm oil. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is the alcohol form of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. There is mixed opinion as to whether SLS and SLES are carcinogenic (cancer causing), however, it is possible both may be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is a probable carcinogen.  [EWG]
  • Avoid if you have sensitive skin. Read the product label and seek and alternative product without SLS, where possible. (i.e. ammonium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant).
  • Seek out products that claim to be 1,4 dioxane free or SLS/SLES free.

Microplastics

Microplastics (often labelled as 'polyethylene' on product labels) are used in some personal care products such as facial scrubs, cleansers and toothpaste. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microplastics aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.

As microplastics (plastic pieces of less than one millimetre diameter) are indistinguishable from plankton, the potential for ingestion by tiny crustaceans is wide. If these creatures ingest them and are eaten by other larger creatures and so on, microplastics can travel up the food chain. And because polyethylene is well known for absorbing toxins, these toxins could also end up in the seafood we eat like shellfish, white fish and tuna.

The three main sources of microplastic in marine environments are:
1) consumer products such as cosmetics,
2) breakdown of larger plastic material, and
3) the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles by domestic clothes washing.

To reduce the amount of microplastic getting into our waterways:
  • Avoid personal care products containing polyethylene  [Beat the Microbead]
  • Avoid clothing made from synthetic fibres
  • Keep plastics, such as plastic bags and bottles, out of waterways

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Miessence  [more info]
Features: Certified organic, cruelty free, Australian owned, carbon neutral
Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.
Manufacturer: Miessence
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Cedel  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Grants  Lateral Food   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
White Glo  WhiteGlo   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Dentitex  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Advance White  Church & Dwight Australia   (Church & Dwight) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Arm & Hammer  Church & Dwight Australia   (Church & Dwight) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Pearl Drops  Church & Dwight Australia   (Church & Dwight) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Colgate  Colgate-Palmolive Australia   (Colgate-Palmolive) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Hello  Colgate-Palmolive Australia   (Colgate-Palmolive) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Aim  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Smoker's Toothpaste  Reckitt Australia   (Reckitt) UK  Criticism, some praise5
Steradent  Reckitt Australia   (Reckitt) UK  Criticism, some praise5
Herbal Fresh  Red Seal   (EBOS) NZL  Criticism, some praise5
Red Seal  Red Seal   (EBOS) NZL  Criticism, some praise5
Biotene  Haleon Australia   (Haleon) UK  Criticisms6
Macleans  Haleon Australia   (Haleon) UK  Criticisms6
Polident  Haleon Australia   (Haleon) UK  Criticisms6
Pronamel  Haleon Australia   (Haleon) UK  Criticisms6
Sensodyne  Haleon Australia   (Haleon) UK  Criticisms6
Crest  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Oral B  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6



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